Purim 2002

USY,

João Pinto Delgado was a 16th century Marrano poet during the Jewish expulsion of Spain. In 1627, he wrote “The Poem of Queen Esther” at a time of great trouble for the European Jewish community. This poem sought to remind the Jewish people, through the story of Esther, the need for our unity and strength, especially in the times of the greatest trouble and doubt.

Delgado writes,

He [Haman] comes to assume that such behavior is right and proper and merely what he deserves. He grows accustomed to hearing himself addressed in prayers that he could grant in an instant if he chose--or not, for either way his power seems to have made the empire subject to his dreams.

The Jewish people, in both current and past centuries, are no strangers to the oppressive wants of individual demagogues in history, and of people who wished for them to be destroyed. Delgado, living in one of the most trying times in our people’s history, wrote of another event of the same magnitude. To him, the holiday of Purim reminds us of the need for strength when our very existence was placed into doubt. This is why the Shabbat prior to Purim we read the special selection for Shabbat Zachor, that of the story of Amalek.

Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey, after you left Egypt—how, undeterred by fear of God, he surprised you on the march, when you were famished and weary, and cut down all the stragglers in your rear. Therefore, when the Lord your God grants you safety from all your enemies around you, in the land that the Lord your God is giving you as a hereditary portion, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget! (Etz Chaim Chumash, Dvarim 25:17-19)

The story of Amalek and that of Mordecai and Esther are tied in Jewish history, where our people were threatened with extinction at the hands of an enemy. In the story of Amalek, Purim and others, our faith in God and the strength of character of both individual people and Klal Yisrael, saved us from imminent death.

Delgado’s poem recounts that,

The only man who appears to have no fear [of Haman] (or hopes of gain from Haman's fickle favor that can produce the same servility) is Mordecai, whose heart seems not to quaver Haman's scowls and frowns, however black. In bland assurance, Mordecai stares back…

With full courage, Mordecai says,

I praise the Lord who made the universe
and is its master. In his hand is set down
on the slate of my heart his holy Name that time
and change cannot erase. His is the crown
of glory I worship, honor, and revere
more than that of an emperor or vizier.
How can I, after contemplating such
heavenly splendors see your poor displays
of pomp and ceremony and be impressed
or dazzled? How can they deserve my praise?
How should I fear your power, which is small
compared to that of the Lord who is master of all?

In the midst of great fear and tension, standing before the second most powerful man in the kingdom of Persia, Mordecai remains unafraid in Delgado’s account. The poem ends very much as the story of Purim ends, with the Jewish people triumphant, and their enemy finally slain. The hope certainly remained in Delgado’s mind, when his Jewish community had been ravaged by an oppressive regime in Spain. Delgado’s poem certainly was written during a troubling period in Jewish history, one that has unfortunately occurred many times and since. The very same questions of our survival came during the time of Purim, the Spanish Inquisition, the Holocaust, and possibly even today. What we can learn, however, from the troubling times of the distant and not-so-distant past is that our strength, and survival, as a people depends on our ability to be a united Klal Yisrael. Whether it be in issues facing us as the youth of the Conservative movement, or the most pressing needs of the worldwide Jewish community, standing united is a necessity of our people.

As we celebrate the chag of Purim, let us all remind ourselves of the great lesson that this holiday, and events of the same magnitude, must teach us about our strength as a people as a necessary factor in our survival. Even in our great comfort, we still have issues across the world, whether in the Middle-East conflict, or issues that seek to divide our people. We can stand as one and say “Am Yisrael Chai!” wherever we are, so that we might truly understand the meaning behind Purim. Always feel free to email me at jsrabin@erols.com or IM me at BigRabe02

Chazak V'Amatz,

Joshua Scott Rabin,
USY Religion/Education Vice President

Information from “The Poem of Queen Esther” by David Slavitt in JTS Magazine
http://www.learn.jtsa.edu/topics/luminaries/ monograph/poemqueen.shtml